It was not a good start to the BDO Inter Counties Championship season for either Warwickshire or West Midlands. Both teams played away, Warwickshire travelled to south Wales to take on Glamorgan and returned with a 21-15 reversal.
The ladies ‘B’ began the weekend with a 3-3 draw, Betty Sinnett (15.21) taking the match award, the men’s ‘B’ however, suffered a massive 10-2 defeat, Colin Laffar (25.16) their top player. Sunday’s results were a little better as the ladies, with a lady of the match performance from Clare Bywaters (27.27) won 4-2 and the men, thanks to a last gasp 3-0 win from Wayne Matthews over Ian Phillips earned a 6-6 draw. Dave Honey was the top player with a 33.40 average.
West Midlands, following their promotion last season, started their life in division three by heading north to face Durham. They also went down 21-15. The ladies ’B’ lost 5-1(Teresa Johnson 26.55), while the men finished all square at six each, Jamie Parsons (25.92) their top man.
The ’A’ team games saw the ladies claim a 4-2 win, but the men lost out by 8-4. Angie Perry (19.05) and Paddy Johnson (26.55) took the respective match awards.
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B.Cowie (Fordbridge Social) produced a fantastic 167 checkout and his team mate A.Mayel a 180 as their team beat Sheldon Dukes 6-3 in the premier division of the Sheldon and District Winter League. In the same division Castle Vale Residents lost by 5-4 at home to EBAHA. I.Lloyd chalked up a ten darts leg for the home side only to see S.Weir go one better for the visitors as he recorded a nine darts leg. There were 160 breaks for both K.Moloney and T.Randell of Saltley Amateur Gardeners as they strolled to a comfortable 7-2 win at the Malt Shovel. British Telecom Club’s F.Dixon was another player to break with 160, despite his team losing 5-4 to Iron Horse, while Highwood’s D.Duncan was in great finishing form as he checked out on 115 and 121 in a 7-2 win at RAFA.
In division two, T.Weston (Lea Hall Sports and Social) hit a maximum in a 6-3 victory over Shard End Social and in the third division Small Heath Gardeners had a similar win over Sedgemere Flights with A.Allden hitting 180 for the winners and P.Kilgallon a 160 break for Flights.
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The Longwood League have been busy with their Ladies Singles Knockout. Taking the crown with a final success against Dawn Hanslow was Lyn Butler. Losing semi finalists were Janet Starling and Jane Tarbuck. Reaching the last eight were Tina Turner, Val Gammage, Sharon Johnson and Claire Dicken.
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Heartlands continue to lead the field in the Small Heath League, their most recent win being a 5-4 result at the Great Western. With 18 points, Heartlands are two ahead of second in the table Custard House, who had a comfortable 7-2 home win over the Black Horse. In other games Victoria 301 Club and Brewer and Baker had 6-3 wins over respective opponents Ward End Ex Service Club and Antelope.
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